Exodus 7:1-7·~1 min

God Commands Moses and Aaron

The LORD appoints Moses and Aaron for Pharaoh, commands the demand for Israel’s release, and foretells both Pharaoh’s refusal and Egypt’s judgment. Through these acts, Egypt will come to know the LORD.

T¹he LORD answered Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. ²You are to speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land. ³But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, ⁴Pharaoh will not listen to you. ⁵Then I will lay My hand on Egypt, and by mighty acts of judgment I will bring the divisions of My people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt. And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them.”

Moses and Aaron obey exactly as commanded, and the chapter notes their ages as they begin speaking to Pharaoh.

⁶So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. ⁷Moses was eighty years old and Aaron was eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.

Section summaryThe LORD frames Moses and Aaron’s work before Pharaoh, giving Moses authority, Aaron speech, and the message of Israel’s release. He also declares that Pharaoh’s hardness will lead to multiplied signs, judgment on Egypt, and the public knowledge that He is the LORD.

Role in the chapterThis opening section establishes the terms of the confrontation before any sign is performed. It explains why Pharaoh’s resistance will continue and places the coming wonders inside the LORD’s larger purpose of judgment and deliverance.